Three Bardino puppies leave for Madrid, to ONCE ( the National Organization the Spanish Blind) , for guide dog training.

This will test whether the Canarian breed can be helpful in assisting people with visual disabilities.

An initiative within the framework of an agreement concluded between the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, the Guide Dog Foundation ONCE (FOPG) and associations of dog breeders of race Fuerteventura, which have been selected from over sixty breeds chosen for the three puppies, named Tibicena, Iruene and Aguayo, explained to fire them at the airport island counselor Victor Alonso.

Counselor for Social Affairs of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura was satisfied that "the end, Fuerteventura breed dog has the opportunity to prove themselves."

"Since we contacted the director of the ONCE on the island has so far spent a year and a half, but the accompanying Bardino carried canaries for hundreds of years and although we know that both the process of socialization as training is very demanding test, hopefully they can overcome the three pups successfully, "he said.

Beneharo Martinez, president of the Association for the Conservation of the Dog Majorero, who boarded with the puppies headed to Madrid, was optimistic at the beginning of a process he said "is going to be long, but that can mean a big boost for the race Bardin, after a few years that has been threatened and their identity as a species conservation. "

Tibicena, Iruene Aguayo and first travel to the Center of the Caniles FOPG in Boadilla del Monte, to then be separated and delivered to three host families during the year for a period of socialization.

If they pass this stage successfully, the pups go to the phases of training and testing period, which could be extended for about another two years.

Aguayo and Tibicena are brothers and were born December 5, 2008, while Iruene born on January 1, 2009.

The two females, Tibicena and Iruene have names of mythological demons canarios that Aboriginal associated with figures of dogs, whereas dogs in Aboriginal Aguayo means.

The tests confirm that the three pups are in good health after being vaccinated and desparasitados and have their health card, certificates of vaccination and identification "chip" in order.

To estimate the ability of the breed as a dog guide Fuerteventura, at least two of the three puppies donated must become graduates as guide dogs and overcome a trial period of work with the blind person to whom they are assigned.

In case of exceeding the valuation, the breed of dog Fuerteventura in addition to other standard breeds dogs such as Labrador, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.

With this, FOPG could increase the number of animals available for training, allowing the needs of more people using guide dogs.

The Guide Dog Foundation ONCE delivered only in 2007 a total of 120 well-trained guide dogs to enhance the autonomy and mobility of the visually impaired, said the institution itself.

Currently, about 900 people with blindness or severe visual impairment are guide dog users in Spain.

Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has provided more than 1,500 dogs, 75% of them trained by herself, and the remainder by the American school Leader Dogs For The Blind in Rochester, the fruit of an agreement between both entities and the Lions Club.

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